Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

First Sentier Investors

  •   2 November 2023
  •      
  •   

First Sentier Investors appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Thursday, 2 November 2023: First Sentier Investors, a leading global investment manager, is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Gazal as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Gazal who will be based in the Sydney office, will be responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day operations and driving operational excellence to support the organisation’s growth strategy.

With over 20 years of experience in asset management and investment banking, Gazal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to First Sentier Investors. Gazal joins from Perpetual Limited (Perpetual) where she was COO since 2020. Prior to Perpetual, Gazal was at the asset manager DWS Group, majority-owned by Deutsche Bank, in Singapore where she was COO for Asia Pacific Distribution and Singapore COO.  She joined DWS from Deutsche Bank where she held a number of roles across Trading and Distribution. Prior to this, Gazal was the COO of the European Emerging Market Debt Trading desk with Credit Suisse in London.

"I am delighted to welcome Amanda to the First Sentier Investors team," said Mark Steinberg, CEO of First Sentier Investors. "Amanda’s proven track record of driving operational excellence and her strong leadership skills make her the ideal candidate to lead our operations as we continue to grow our business."

As the new COO, Gazal will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team to develop and execute operational strategies that align with the company's overall vision and goals. Gazal will oversee various departments, including global operations, IT, data management, the project management office and supplier management. Together with her leadership team, Gazal will work with the business to continue to implement efficiency and scale to enhance productivity, to ensure the best outcomes for our valued clients and investors.

Amanda Gazal, newly appointed COO at First Sentier Investors said, "I am thrilled to be joining First Sentier Investors as the new Chief Operating Officer. I am very much looking forward to working with the executive leadership team and more broadly with the talented team at First Sentier Investors and to be part of the organisation’s continued growth journey."

Gazal is expected to join First Sentier Investors in February 2024 and will take over from Gary Cotton, who in addition to his responsibilities as Regional Managing Director of EMEA, has been interim COO.

 

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly

This AI cycle feels less like a revolution and more like a rerun. Just like fibre in 2000, shale in 2014, and cannabis in 2019, the technology or product is real but the capital cycle will be brutal. Investors beware.

Why we should follow Canada and cut migration

An explosion in low-skilled migration to Australia has depressed wages, killed productivity, and cut rental vacancy rates to near decades-lows. It’s time both sides of politics addressed the issue.

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Australian house price speculators: What were you thinking?

Australian housing’s 50-year boom was driven by falling rates and rising borrowing power — not rent or yield. With those drivers exhausted, future returns must reconcile with economic fundamentals. Are we ready?

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 627 with weekend update

This week, I got the news that my mother has dementia. It came shortly after my father received the same diagnosis. This is a meditation on getting old and my regrets in not getting my parents’ affairs in order sooner.

  • 4 September 2025

Latest Updates

Shares

Why the ASX may be more expensive than the US market

On every valuation metric, the US appears significantly more expensive than Australia. However, American companies are also much more profitable than ours, which means the ASX may be more overvalued than most think.

Economy

No one holds the government to account on spending

Government spending is out of control and there's little sign that Labor will curb it. We need enforceable rules on spending and an empowered budget office to ensure governments act responsibly with taxpayers money.

Retirement

Why a traditional retirement may be pushed back 25 years

The idea of stopping work during your sixties is a man-made concept from another age. In a world where many jobs are knowledge based and can be done from anywhere, it may no longer make much sense at all.

Shares

The quiet winners of AI competition

The tech giants are in a money-throwing contest to secure AI supremacy and may fall short of high investor expectations. The companies supplying this arms race could offer a more attractive way to play AI adoption.

Preparing for aged care

Whether for yourself or a family member, it’s never too early to start thinking about aged care. This looks at the best ways to plan ahead, as well as the changes coming to aged care from November 1 this year.

Infrastructure

Renewable energy investment: gloom or boom?

ESG investing has fallen out of favour with many investors, and Trump's anti-green policies haven't helped. Yet, renewables investment is still surging, which could prove a boon for infrastructure companies.

Investing

The enduring wisdom of John Bogle in five quotes

From buying the whole market to controlling emotions, John Bogle’s legendary advice reminds investors that patience, discipline, and low costs are the keys to investment success in any market environment.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.